FEMA Elevation Certificate: How It Affects Flood Insurance Costs
Why Elevation Certificates Matter for Chicago Homeowners Flooding in Chicago is more common than many homeowners expect. Heavy rains, snowmelt, and older drainage systems often overwhelm neighborhoods near the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, and low-lying areas such as Albany Park and South Shore. For property owners in these areas, flood insurance isn’t optional. How much […]
Do Renovations Change Your Elevation Certificate?
Home renovations bring excitement—new designs, better spaces, and upgrades you’ve been dreaming of. In Chicago, many homeowners in flood-prone areas forget about one important detail: how the work might affect their elevation certificate. This document is more than a form—it can change your flood insurance costs, help with permits, and affect your home’s value. What […]
How To Find Your Property On FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps
What are FEMA flood maps? FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) or just Flood Maps are provided after a flood risk assessment has been completed or updated for a community. This study is known as a Flood Insurance Study. The FIRM gives you the Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) and insurance risk zones in addition to […]